Tennessee began work on the 2010 recruiting class with defensive line being an obvious need waiting to be addressed. With the official start of summer still a month off, that need has been at least partially filled to the tune of three commitments, the latest from J.C. Copeland who took time out from lunch this afternoon to deliver a commitment to Tennessee.

Copeland (6-foot-2, 240 pounds), from Lagrange, Ga., chose the Vols over a handful of SEC offers, and according to Troup Co. head coach Bubba Gentry, Tennessee probably landed him before his recruitment kicked up a notch.

In addition to firm offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, Maryland Gentry said that Florida State and South Carolina had recently made school visits during the evaluation period to check on Copeland as well.

Rivals.com rates Copeland as a four-star prospect and the No. 18 defensive end in the nation.